CHOPARD – Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Zagato 100th Anniversary Edition
Chopard and Zagato first crossed paths during Mille Miglia rallies and there was bound to be a perfect understanding between the watchmaker and the Italian car design signature. A love of fine mechanics, a passion for design, respect for tradition, and an attraction to racing and performance are all common denominators now resulting in Chopard's tribute to the 100th anniversary of its racing partner and friend.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
A mechanical tribute, naturally, with the
Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Zagato 100th Anniversary Edition watch, crafted by
Chopard in a
100-piece
limited edition.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
Combining a dial enhanced with
Zagato’s emblematic
Z pattern and red-lacquered colour, a beautifully curved
42mm steel case and a leather bund strap evoking the car designer's upholstery, this new timepiece bears a striking resemblance to its racing-car inspiration. An aesthetically and technically sophisticated watch beating to the rhythm of a mechanical movement with automatic winding certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC).
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
The
Mille Miglia, la corsa più bella del mondo! An encounter occurring at a rally billed as the world’s most beautiful race is bound to be exceptional and that is exactly what happened between the two protagonists in this ongoing story.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
On the one hand,
Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, representing the fourth generation of a dynasty of watchmakers and jewellers, co-president of
Chopard founded in
1860, partner for
31 years of the famous
Mille Miglia race from Brescia to Rome and back, a keen fan of classic cars and a driver when the chance arises.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
On the other,
Andrea Zagato, grandson of the founder of the family company dating back to
1919, currently the last independent Italian car designer, and initiator of the Total Design Studio concept for brands such as
Porsche,
Aston Martin,
Ferrari,
Lamborghini,
Alfa Romeo and
Bentley.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
The healthy rivalry between the two men hurtling along Italian country roads at the wheel of their respective cars quickly turned into a sincere friendship, obviously sustained by a common passion for mechanical excellence and aesthetic genius in showcasing it.
Chopard thus became the official sponsor of the
Scuderia Sports Zagato, while
Zagato inspired
Chopard to produce
limited editions of its
Mille Miglia watch collections.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
The spirit of the race – which sees gentlemen drivers vying with each other during the day, yet all too happy to share their experiences once they cross the finish line – had worked its magic and, especially since the resulting rapprochement between the two Maisons, it appears almost self-evident.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
While the similarities between watches and cars are readily highlighted, they only take on their full meaning when both are capable of arousing emotions. This implies attention to detail, mechanical cleverness, elegant aesthetics and naturally ensuing harmony. A universe familiar to both
Chopard and
Zagato, united in this quest for perfect design.
A technically sophisticated timepiece
Needless to say,
Chopard could not let this year
2019 pass without taking up the challenge of honouring
Zagato's
100th anniversary with a timepiece destined to be memorable in every way.
The main options quickly emerged.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
This
100th Anniversary Edition would obviously be a
Mille Miglia watch, belonging to the
Classic Chronograph collection initiated in
2017 and bearing the codes of a racing model, in the spirit of this classic car rally cherished by both Maisons.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
This
42 mm steel-clad piece exudes a deliberately vintage spirit, with curves inspired by irresistible oldtimers. The mechanics are impeccable, with reliability and precision guaranteed by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC).
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
Based on this chronograph calibre built for performance,
Chopard and
Zagato designed a sleek watch ideally suited to endurance road racing enthusiasts. Particular attention was paid to the details composing the style of the piece, starting with a dial with a motif resembling the
Z for
Zagato in a magnificent lacquered red, a favourite hue of both the Milan-based designer and the
Mille Miglia.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
As a reminder of the authorship of this watch, logos of the two Maisons appear at 12 o’clock, surrounded by baton-type hour-markers painted with Super-LumiNova® -– as are the hands – so as to ensure perfect readability in all circumstances.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
The sporty nature of the chronograph is further enhanced by the black aluminium inner bezel bearing a graduated tachymeter scale. The result is a must-have accessory serving to calculate the average speed during the race and one that
Zagato has put to good use in the past, winning the historic
Mille Miglia race a record eight times in 24 participations!
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
As a reference to the straps used to lash down oldtimer car trunks, a bund strap with tone-on-tone stitching – like the
Zagato upholstery – has been chosen for this watch worthily representing the heyday of the early automobile industry. At the time, some drivers preferred this type of strap enabling them to wear their timepiece securely wrapped around the sleeve of their rally jacket.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
In the evening, the bund strap gives way to an elegant black calfskin version that enhances this watch sported by the perfect gentleman driver, still under the spell of the gently undulating landscapes evoking the famous Italian dolce vita. All it takes to prolong the magic is a simple glance at his
Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Zagato.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
------------------------------------------
Technical Specifications
Collection: Mille Miglia Classic
Model: Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Zagato 100th Anniversary Edition
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
Ref.
168589-3020 – in steel on calfskin
100-piece steel
limited edition
Case:
Steel
Total diameter
42.00
Thickness 12.67 mm
Water resistance 50 metres
Steel screw-lock crown with steering wheel motif 7.50 mm
Polished steel bezel
Glareproofed sapphire crystal
Steel pushers
Exhibition back with screws bearing
Mille Miglia logo around its rim and
special transfer-printed inscription reading “
Chopard & Mille Miglia -Zagato 100th”
Movement:
Mechanical self-winding chronograph movement
Caliber: ETA 2894-2
Total diameter 28.60 mm
Thickness 6.10 mm
Number of jewels 37
Frequency
28,800 vph (
4 Hz)
Power reserve approx.
42 hours
Chronometer-certified (
COSC)
Dial and hands:
Red with
Zagato "
Z" motif
Engine-turned red-lacquered colour dial enhanced with
Zagato’s emblematic
Z pattern
White transfer-printed railtrack markings and tachymeter scale
Red Mille Miglia logo
Functions:
Hours, minutes, seconds
Hours counter at 6 o’clock, minutes counter at 9 o’clock, seconds counter at 3 o’clock
Date window between 4 and 5 o’clock
Strap and buckle:
Black calfskin
barenia leather strap (matt)
Polished steel pin buckle
100-piece
limited edition
Availability: Boutique exclusive
#ChopardSavoirFaire #ChopardMilleMigliaZagato
========================
www.astonmartin.com
---------------------------------
Press Release - 2019
----------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------
www.facebook.com - Chopard
-------------------------------------------------------------
www.Сhopard.com
